The IPSA scholarship recipients were recognized during the Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon Jan. 25. (IPSA photo)

Indianapolis, IN (January 28, 2022) – The Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) held its Annual Conference Jan. 24-26 along with the Corn Belt Seed Conference in Indianapolis, IN.

The conference featured four general sessions, along with 14 breakouts covering topics ranging from employee retention and regenerative ag to treated seed stewardship and carbon and sustainability. It was held in-person at the JW Marriott after being moved virtually in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.

Independent Together

The theme for the conference was “Independent Together,” which 2021 IPSA President Tim Greene, owner of Burrus Seed, Arenzville, IL, says is fitting due to the closeness of the seed industry.

“We’ve realized when we use our collective voices together, we strengthen our message and legitimize our efforts,” Greene says. “Together we can continue to make a difference.”

Greene says the companies IPSA represents, including 125 seed companies in 25 states, Canada, and Mexico, are able to capitalize with a local approach. The companies promote the values of independence, generate competition, and provide a unique buying experience for growers, Greene says.

“When they put their name on a bag of seed, it’s different,” Greene says. “Growers recognize that.”

Speakers and Recognitions

Keynote speaker Vikram Mansharamani, a Harvard University lecturer and author, addressed the group during the Opening General Session. He spoke about topics of current trends in ag and what to expect this year with the pressures on supply chains and consumers.

Scholarships and awards. IPSA recognized its 2021 scholarship and award recipients during the annual business meeting and luncheon Jan. 25.

The scholarship recipients include Nathan Behrends, Cole Eden, Lauren Gatz, Addi Goodman, Amelia Hayden, Taylor Hartke, William Hurd, Johnna Jorgensen, and Alex Scovill. Karson Kimpling received the Tom Burrus Memorial Scholarship, given in memory of past IPSA President Tom Burrus.

Alan Galbreth, former Indiana Crop Improvement Association CEO, and Chet Boruff, recently retired AOSCA CEO, received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Galbreth says it was a real honor to receive the award from a group he was actively involved with during his career.

Boruff says he remembers the vision for IPSA when it was formed in 1989, which why receiving the award from the organization means so much to him.

“I know where they came from and the vision they had for it,” Boruff says. “You need to move forward with a vision to build cooperation and gain support. Out of such a vision comes something like IPSA.”

2020 IPSA President Brett Hodnefield of Champion Seed, Ellsworth, IA, was also honored as he steps away from the board having been the longest serving member. He received gifts for his service after not being able to be recognized last year due to the virtual conference.

Political climate. The afternoon general session Jan. 25 featured a discussion with ASTA CEO and President Andy LaVigne and IPSA lobbyist Laura Wood Peterson, moderated by IPSA CEO Todd Martin, about issues happening in Washington, DC.

The morning general session Jan. 26 featured presentations by Purdue University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity Jay Akridge and Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). McKinney spoke about several issues of note currently being discussed in Washington, DC.

Gene editing. The final session of the conference featured a panel on gene editing featuring Rick Lawrence of Bayer and Ron Wulfkuhle of Inari along with closing speaker Jake Wood.

Gene editing is a necessary step in the overall contribution of ag technology, Wulfkuhle says. A lot of different science needs to be developed as how to put it together is figured out.

Lawrence says researchers have been able to unlock genetic performance in ways they haven’t in the past as they seek to deliver products to benefit consumers and growers. They can optimize specific regions of the genome, he notes.

“Innovation has provided a lot of opportunities broadly and globally,” says Lawrence, Bayer’s head of genome editing, yield, disease, and quality research in plant biotechnology.

“The time ins now for these tools to have an impact,” Wulfkuhle says. “Products are coming to market now. This science is no longer a few years from now. It is here and it is real.”

Lessons in leadership. Wood, co-founder and CEO of Team Rubicon, spoke about his experience in the military and what can be learned from it.

“Today’s world is fast moving and full of uncertainty,” Wood says. “A lot of changes are on the horizon in your industry. It is more dynamic and uncertain than ever before.”

Companies can learn to take advantage of the uncertainties to create advantages in part by planning for the unknown, Wood says.

Board of Directors

Chris Cornelius of Cornelius Seed, Bellevue, IA, was recognized as the 2022 IPSA President during the passing of the gavel ceremony to close the event.

The 2022 IPSA Board of Directors and Officers include:

  • Chris Cornelius, President, Cornelius Seed
  • Chris Latham, 1st VP, Latham Seeds
  • Colin Steen, 2nd VP, Legacy Agripartners
  • Tim Greene, Burrus Seed
  • Brad Taylor, Taylor Seed Farms
  • Terry Schultz, Mustang Seeds
  • Matt Goetz, Wyckoff Hybrids, Inc
  • Scott Sanders, Peterson Seed Farms
  • Aaron Conaway, Total Seed Production

Entertainment and Networking Highlights

The Welcome Reception Jan. 24 was held at The Slippery Noodle Inn, a historic Indianapolis bar. Founded in 1850, The Slippery Noodle remained open even through Prohibition, only closing during 2020 due to COVID restrictions.

A reception Jan. 25 was hosted by Peterson Genetics, with Sponsored Hospitality Suites following dinner. The sponsors for the hospitality suites included Corn States, Corteva, GreenLeaf, and Novozymes.

Written by Chris Lusvardi, Seed Today editor

The Opening Reception was held at the Slippery Noodle Inn in downtown Indianapolis. (IPSA photos)

IPSA presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Alan Galbreth and Chet Boruff on Jan. 25.

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney speaks Jan. 26 during the IPSA Annual Conference.

Team Rubicon Co-Founder and CEO Jake Wood presents during the IPSA Annual Conference Jan. 26 in Indianapolis, IN.

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